The median pay for Motion Picture Projectionists is $38,270 a year ($18.40/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 6.2% through 2035, with about 300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 39-3021
- Personal Care and Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Motion Picture Projectionist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $38,270a year, or $18.40/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $23KTop 10% $88K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -6.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−6.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −6.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3001,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251.5K
- Projected 20351.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1.5K Projected 2035 1.4K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school19.9%
- High school61.1%
- Some college8.9%
- Bachelor's10.1%
Highest education held by motion picture projectionists Segment Value Less than high school 19.9% High school 61.1% Some college 8.9% Bachelor's 10.1%
Also advertised as: Booth Operator, Cinema Projectionist, Digital Projectionist, Film Specialist, Motion Picture Projectionist, Movie Projectionist.
Pay
How much do Motion Picture Projectionists make?
Every motion picture projectionist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$38,270
Middle half earn $30,040 to $77,730
- 10th
- $23,390
- 25th
- $30,040
- 75th
- $77,730
- 90th
- $88,310
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $23,390 |
| 25th | $30,040 |
| Median | $38,270 |
| 75th | $77,730 |
| 90th | $88,310 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $38,270
- Median hourly wage
- $18.40/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $51,480
- People employed
- 1,480
Versus all US occupations
At $38,270, Motion Picture Projectionists earn 25% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,710 a year.
Versus personal care and service occupations
The median is typical for the Personal Care and Service group, where the middle occupation pays $38,120.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $88,310 or more while the bottom 10% earn $23,390, a gap of 3.8×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 6% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
New York posts the highest raw median ($82,260), but once local prices are taken into account Illinois leads at $79,023 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Motion Picture Projectionists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $82,260 | $76,222 | 270 |
| 2Illinois | $78,990 | $79,023 | N/A |
| 3California | $74,840 | $67,594 | 190 |
| 4Washington | $39,070 | $36,510 | 60 |
| 5Michigan | $37,590 | $39,068 | N/A |
| 6Ohio | $36,870 | $39,742 | 50 |
| 7Arizona | $32,890 | $32,669 | N/A |
| 8Texas | $31,160 | $32,105 | 40 |
| 9Pennsylvania | $29,850 | $30,593 | 40 |
| 10Missouri | $29,140 | $32,087 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Motion Picture Projectionist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -6.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Motion Picture Projectionists | −6.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Motion Picture Projectionists to change -6.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 20.0% of the 1,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Motion Picture Projectionist
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as motion picture projectionists.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)61.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma19.9%
- Bachelor's Degree10.1%
- Some College Courses8.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 61.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 19.9% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 10.1% |
| Some College Courses | 8.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Motion Picture Projectionist do?
Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.
Day-to-day tasks
- Monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met.
- Clean the projection booth.
- Inspect projection equipment prior to operation to ensure proper working order.
- Open and close facilities according to rules and schedules.
- Perform regular maintenance tasks, such as rotating or replacing xenon bulbs, cleaning projectors and lenses, lubricating machinery, and keeping electrical contacts clean and tight.
- Set up and adjust picture projectors and screens to achieve proper size, illumination, and focus of images, and proper volume and tone of sound.
- Start projectors and open shutters to project images onto screens.
- Set up and inspect curtain and screen controls.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Writing2.1
- Active Learning2.1
- Learning Strategies2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.1 |
| Active Learning | 2.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Troubleshooting2.9
- Repairing2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Troubleshooting | 2.9 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Internet browser software
- Video creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Motion Picture Projectionist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Motion Picture Projectionist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.4
- Conventional4.4
- Artistic3.1
- Investigative2.0
- Social2.0
- Enterprising2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Motion Picture Projectionist
O*NET related occupations
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$52,720median a year
Most earn $34K to $84K
−15.5%High school - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
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$52,600median a year
Most earn $37K to $84K
+4.8%Certificate - Production
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$40,610median a year
Most earn $30K to $69K
−5.6%High school - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Production
More personal care and service careers
Median annual pay, with motion picture projectionists highlighted
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$47,160
- Concierge$38,950
- Motion Picture Projectionist$38,270
- Tour Guide and Escort$38,120
- Hairstylist$35,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$35,760
- Nanny$34,980
- Childcare Worker$34,980
- Gambling Dealer$34,320
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 |
| Concierge | $38,950 |
| Motion Picture Projectionist | $38,270 |
| Tour Guide and Escort | $38,120 |
| Hairstylist | $35,790 |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 |
| Nanny | $34,980 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Motion Picture Projectionist appears on
Questions
Motion Picture Projectionist: frequently asked questions
How much do Motion Picture Projectionists make?
Motion Picture Projectionists earn a median of $38,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 25% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $18.40/hr. The middle half earn between $30,040 and $77,730. The top 10% earn $88,310 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Motion Picture Projectionist?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Motion Picture Projectionists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.1% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Motion Picture Projectionist a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 6.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Motion Picture Projectionist do?
Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment. A core O*NET task: monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Motion Picture Projectionists the most?
The highest state medians for Motion Picture Projectionists are New York ($82,260), Illinois ($78,990), California ($74,840) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Illinois moves to the top at $79,023.
What personality type suits a Motion Picture Projectionist?
O*NET scores Motion Picture Projectionists highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.